THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has dispelled fears that the on-going voter verification exercise across the country is meant to influence the outcome of the August general elections results in favour of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).

ECZ public relations manager Cris Akufuna said the politically misguided misconception by the general public that the PF government was using the voter verification to rig the elections was without basis and was but a mere political speculation to create fear among the electorate.

Mr Akufuna said there was no way voters could claim that the verification exercise was another way of voting when there were no political party candidates on ballot papers.

There had been voter verification apathy allegedly caused by rumours that the exercise was meant to rig the elections in favour of the ruling party.

Some electorates were said to be refusing to verify their details with the ECZ on suspicion that the exercise was meant to pre-vote before the date of the 11th August general elections this year.